Holiday Exercise: Make It a Pleasure, Not a Punishment

The majority of adults in the United States are not physically active on a regular basis. Only 30% get the recommended amount of physical activity. The number one reason most people don't exercise is...
lack of time.

When the holiday season begins, the lack of time issue only becomes more problematic. For most people, even for those who do exercise regularly, this means that daily exercise slips to the bottom of the long list of things to do at the holidays. You know that list: gift shopping, party hopping, traveling to see family and friends...

Here are some ways you can stay on track with your exercise routine throughout the holidays.

Set Short- and Long-Term Goals

Rather than drag yourself to the gym each day to burn off some of that eggnog, set a fitness goal for the holiday season.

Try writing down what you want to accomplish during the two-month period from November 20 to January 20. Choose a goal such as losing 5 pounds, increasing your strength, or improving your time in a mile run. Don't make exercise a penance for the holiday cookies you ate. Make it a personal goal unrelated to holiday revelry.

Your goals need to be flexible and in line with your capabilities, needs, values, and available resources. They should be challenging, but also realistic. Measure the baseline of where you are now and decide where you would like to be on a certain date in January.

Write down your goal and take ownership of it by signing it—either by yourself or with a workout partner.

Develop Rituals

Rituals are another way that you can gain control over your environment.

Here are examples of rituals that may work for you:

Have a set time in the morning to work out.

Have your gym bag packed and ready to go the night before.

Have your workout planned before you arrive at the gym.

Get a Workout Partner

Some people find that working out with a partner helps motivate them and keep them consistent in terms of getting to the gym. Knowing that someone is waiting at the gym for you will hopefully motivate you on the days you don't feel like getting out of bed to exercise.

Train for an Event or Sport

Whether you like to ski or snowboard or whatever, being fit will make your winter activities more enjoyable. Knowing you need to be physically prepared may be the motivational tool you need in terms of keeping you consistent with your workouts. Realizing that all your training will have an additional benefit, other than improved fitness, may also improve your chances of sticking with it.

If you don't already have something to train for, consider these:

5K or 10K road race

Marathon

Triathlon or biathlon

Sport-specific training—getting ready for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, or a winter basketball league

So, for this holiday season, find some motivation that has nothing to do with guilt.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

The Surgeon General's call to action to prevent and decrease overweight and obesity. US Department of Health and Human Services' Surgeon General website. Available at: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/obesity/index.html. Accessed January 15, 2014.